Adjustable cap



June 16, 1925. 1,542,302

I. KAPLAN ADJUSTABLE CAP Filed Nov. 5, 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 ENTO I e r lgidori p n June 16, 192.5. 1,542,302

I. KAFLAN ADJU-STABLE CAP Filed Nov. 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet INVENTOR Isidgr Kaplan Patented June 16, 1925.

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Be it known that Itllsinon KArLAN, a citizen/of United States, residing at "the city of New York, the county ofNeW. York and Stateof New York, have invented ta net an usef l I e m ets in A justable Caps, of the fo'llo'wingis a pe fi tiev Y This invention relates to adjustable caps and particularly to that type in which the lower part of the cap is divided into front and rear portions which are relatively adjustab e r c se caps of the ty e above mentioned which have been heretofore; are open to the objections that they do not present the sa neappearance' that the usual nonadj istable caps presentl'that they'do not keep their shape reason of the fact that they weak at juncture of the front and rfear'sections, that the adjustment is uncertain and intricate in varying degrees, and that the djevic es for locking the cap inadj listed position are more or less cumbersome, bulky, expensive iinattraoti've appearante; or otherwise undesirable.

Myinvention contemplates the provision of" an adj1 st' able cap wherein the disadvant se ann d r a b ta ia l m at d T env rieu vbie Of s invntidn will appear as this' description progresses, and from the drawing sg which; Fig. 1 is aperspective view of a preferred embodiment ofmy invention,-the top of the ap b a l s ratea e f ss i t tl r m th peak to show the ad isting straps. 2 a bottom planview of the same, that part at "the left at the figure being shown "in its extended position for the'large head'fsizjes', andthatpart' at the right of the figiire being fshownpartiy teleseoped for the sm l i' head s e; a a i Fig. 3 isa side elevation of the juncture of the front and reanportions' of the cap, the adjusting strap? being shown removed o f th ay'iqr 1erne' I 1.. Figr A: is a .c m ried hOriZ'on ec n nd res ive ew, ld king n th c p Of t ii fiidaof he p's ewn iii i Fig. 51s h rizlo tal' tation taken tn giigh the ends Qf ie' diflStiI i r k s- Fi is a verti a seam n 2 he line a ic it g g; November s, 1925. serial No. 747,910.

Fig. is a perspective view of my ini- Bl' a jus l d an 8 a front View of part of the end portion of one of the adjusting straps.

In that embodiment of my invention illustrated herein, the crown or body'portion 10 of the capnm be formedof a single piece of material suitably cut out and seamedyor of a number'of segments suitably seamed tog ethe'r, all as iswell known in the art and which forms no part of the present invention. Since improved cap is snbstantially symmetrical about a front-to-rear center l ne, a description of one-half or side applies equally well to and will suffice for both sides. Preferably at a point just to the rear of the ends of thevizor or peak 11, the lower art of the crown portions or segments 12 an 13 are not seamed together, as are the rest of the crown portions or segments, but the adjacent edges of said segments 12 and 13 are each seamed instead to a foldable or col1apsi ble gi sset 14s as by means, of the seams 15 and 16 respectively, so that said segments are maintained in spaced adj nstable relation withoiit any opening appearing therebetween. It will be seen, therefore, that the lower edge of the'cap; which edge is intended to fit the head ofthe wearer, c'an be contracted and expanded while the remainder of the cap remains unaltered in size or appearance. Since said gusset 1 1 is made preferably of Waste material, such as is left over when the crown 10 is out to shape, and since said gnsset, even in its most extended position,'is almost completely hidden from View bya strap member as 17 soon to be described, the appearance of the cap is substantially the same as that of a non-adjustable cap of the type referred to. Said giisset 14 is preferably not attached to any other part of the cap at its lower edge 18. Qndrawing the segniIL -S 12 and l3together for decreasing the head size of'the cap in a manner and by means described more fully hereinafter, it will be seen that to the largest extent the edge"18 and to a smaller. extent the remainder o magnet, a fo 9 1..- l'a fl' b' t the i ppi r e 1 9 of he g r 9 3 a PiYQt i i l a 7 While :said gusset 14 serves to a considerab dsi iee t pr ven e f t se t n 21 a e r ia ly 1 m b d n 9 0 lapsing relatively to the rear section 22 and thereby aids in preventing deformation so that said cap presents the appearance for all practical purposes of one in which the segments 12 and 13 are seamed together in the usual manner, I do not depend on the limited supporting action of said gusset to maintain the cap in shape. A long stiffening member 23 is preferably provided for this purpose, said member being seamed preferably completely around the entire bottom edge of the front section 21 as by means of the stitching 24 and 25, and serving to cause said front member to move as a unit relatively to the rear section 22 during the adjusting operation.

The lining 26, though seamed to the lower edges of the front section 21 and the rear section 22 by the usual stitching as 27, is preferably not attached to the gusset 14, the stitching 27 being interrupted at said gusset. Said lining is seamed substantially to the entire lower edge of said member 23 and to the cap section 21, but the seaming is stopped however at the point 23, to free the projecting unseamed end of said member 23 and to allow said end to be given the desired amount of movement longitudinally, the stitching 27 on the rear section 22 ending at the point 29 near the edge seam 16 of the rear segment 13. By dispensing with the stitching 27 between the points 28 and 29, I provide a lining 26, which, to all appearances, is not only identical with that of the ordinary non-adjustable cap, but at the same time, I provide a free and unsecured lining section 30 adapted to be drawn by the member 23 into a suitable pocket provided therefor, on decreasing the size of the cap, so that even the collapsible portion of the cap is substantially undistinguishable. The space 31 between the lining 26 and the cap segment 13 serves as the pocket into which the projecting portion of the member 23 extends at all times, whereby the cap does not appear to be broken or deformed at the gusset but is firmly held in its proper form and shape, and into which pocket the free lining section 30 may be drawn and hidden from view on adjusting the cap to the smaller sizes.

For adjusting the cap, I provide the usual strap members 32 and 33 each secured to the rear cap section 22 outside of the gusset 14 by the lower part of the seams 16. At the forward end of the strap member 32, is a preferable metal clip 34 for preventing ravelling of said end, and the male member 35 of a strap fastener or clasp adjacent to said clip. Said member 32 is preferably tapered towards the end thereof to present a good appearance and to provide the greatest strength at the seam 16 where the stress thereon is greatest. The strap member 33 is perforated near its forward end by a series of preferably round button holes as 36 spaced apart at proper intervals, and has mounted thereon a slide as 37 readily movable to any part of said member. A pair of openings as 38 and 39 of slightly greater height than the width of said member is provided in said slide, through which said member is adapted to be threaded with the outer face of the central post 40 of said slide covered by a portion of said member. Carried by said post 40 is the female member 41 of the clasp, said member 41 being adapted to be positioned with the hole 42 thereof directly behind and arranged coaxially of one of the button holes 36. A size indicating band as 43 imprinted with numbers giving head sizes at suitable distances corresponding to the distances between button holes is adapted to be arranged either on the outsideor on the inside surface of said member 33 as may be desired with said numbers adjacent to the corresponding one of the holes 36. The male clasp member 35 on the strap member 32 is adapted to be passed through the proper one of the button holes 36 and into the hole 42 of the female clasp member 41, whereby the slide 37 .is positively and eflicaciously locked against movement on the member 33 and the head size of the cap fixed against change until the clasp members 35 and 41 are separated to free the slide 37. While the illustrated arrangement of the clasp members is preferred, it will be obvious that the slide 37 may carry the male member and the strap 32 may carry the female member if desired.

When the cap is adjusted to the largest possible head size, the gussets 14 and the lining sections 30 are fully distended and the cap is stretched by the head of the wearer until the strap members 32 and 33 are brought into contact with the front section of the cap. Said strap members, gussets and tongues 23 being preferably made of the same material as that of the cap body, the appearance of the cap is such that it can hardly be distinguished from the ordinary non-adjustable cap of this type. To decrease the head size, the clasp members 35 and 41 are separated, the slide 37 thereby freed and moved along the strap member 33 until the opening in the clasp member 41 is in alignment with the button hole 37 marked with the proper size, whereupon the strap members 32 and 33 are pulled toward each other and the male clasp member 35 passed through said button hole. On drawing the strap members together the projecting portions of the member 23 move rearwardly and enter further into the pockets 31'carrying with them the free section 30 of the lining 26, while the gussets 14 are folded or collapsedbehind the segments 13, so that none of the folded or collapsed parts of the lining or gussets is outwardly visible,

nor do, such collapsed: parts cause. any discomfort. to the'wearer. e i

1 It will be seen that my improved; cap pre sents the usual appearance to the eye, that it is not deformed by're'ason of the partial separation of the front and rear cap sections, owing to the stiffening action'of" thegussets and stiffening member, that the adjustment is accurate and certain and cannot be accidently varied, that the adjustment can be quickly and effectively made, and that the adjusting means is simple and inexpensiveso that my invention is. well adapted to meet the exacting requirements of practical use.

It is to be understood that the embodiment shown and described is intended merely to be illustrative of my invention, and that I do not desire to be limited to the specific structure shown as various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention as pointed out in the appended claims.

I claim I 1. Inan adjustable cap, a pair of strap members, one of said strap members having a series of spaced apertures near the end thereof, movable slidefree of said cap and having a'pair of openings therein through which the apertured strap member passes, a clasp element on said slide, and a cooperating clasp elementon the other of said strap members, a portion of one of said clasp elements being adapted to pass completely through said apertures into the other of said elements for locking said slide in place;

2. In an adjustable cap, a front section, a rear section adjustable relatively to said front section, means for adjusting said sections comprising an apertured strap member secured to one side of said rear section, a second strap member secured to the other side of said rear section, and means for locking said strap members in adjusted position comprising a clasp element slidableon the first mentioned strap member and a second clasp element fixed on said second strap mem ber adapted to engage and to lock said first clasp element in position on said first mentioned strap member with a portion of one of said clasp elements passing through an aperture in said first strap member and with part of said apertured member between said clasp elements.

3. I11 an adjustable cap a pair of cap adjusting strap members a slide carried by one of said members, a clasp element on said slide. and a second clasp element on the other of said members, a portion of one of said clasp elements being adapted to pass through said first member into engagement with the other of said elements whereby part of one of said strap members is interposed between said clasp elements.

4. In an adjustable cap. means for adjustable in said ca com risin an a ertured st-ra member and a male clasp element on said second strap member a portion of said male member being adapted to pass through the apertures in said apertured strap member into engagement with said female element 5. In an adjustable cap, a front section, a rear section, a strap joined to each side of said rear section and having'free endsadapted to pass around the front of said front section, fold'able means for adjustably connecting said front and rear sections, slidable means on one part of said strap, a clasp element carried by said slidable means and a cooperating clasp element secured to the other part of said strap a portion of said cooperating element being adapted to pass through said first mentioned strap part into engagement with the clasp member on said slidable means. a i

6. In an adjustable cap, a front section, a rear section adjustable relatively to said front section, a collapsible gusset'adjustably joining said sections together, a lining stitching joiningsaid lining to the lower edge of said front section, and to the lower edge of said rear section, said stitching being interrupted adjacent to said gusset for forming a pocket open at said gusset, means secured to the lower edge of said front section and adapted to enter said pocket for stifl'ening said lower edge, straps for relatively adjusting said front and rear sections, and means slidable on one of said straps for maintaining said cap in adjusted position.

7 In an adjustable cap, a pair of sections relatively adjustable at the lower edges thereof, foldable means joining said sections a lining stitched to said lower edges, a foldable section of said lining at said foldmeans, means secured to one section of said cap for manipulating said sections, and adjustable means passing through said section manipulating means for positively locking said last mentioned means in operative position. i

8. In an adjustable cap, a front section, a rear section adjustable relatively to said front section, a foldable gusset seamed to said front and rear sections, a lining, stitching joining said lining to the lower edges of said front and rear sections, an apertured strap member seamed to the front edge of said rear section, a second strap member seamed to the other front edge of said rear section, a slide on said apertured strap member, a female clasp element on said slide adapted to be arranged rearwardly of an aperture in said apertured member and a 'male clasp element on the second strap member a portion of said male member being adapted to pass through said aperture into engagement with said female clasp element.

9. In an adjustable cap, a front section, a rear section adjustable relatively to said front section, a gusset joining said sections, a lining stitched to the lower edges of said sections and forming a pocket in said rear section, a stiffening member seamed to said front section and said lining extending into said pocket and adapted to carry said lining and said gusset into said pocket when said sections are drawn together, means seamed to said rear section for adjusting said cap, and means on said adjusting means for locking said adjusting means in adjusted position.

10. In an adjustable cap, a front section, a rear section adjustable relatively to said front section, a gusset joining said sections, a lining stitched to the lower edges of said sections and forming a pocket in said rear section, a stiffening tongue seamed to said front section and said lining. extending into said pocket and adapted to carry part of said lining and said gusset into said pocket when said sections are drawn together, an apertured strap member seamed to one of the front edges of said rear section, a second strap member seamed to the other front edge of said rear section, a slide on said apertured strap member, a female clasp element on said slide adapted to be arranged rearwardly of an aperture in said apertured member, and a male clasp element on the second strap member arranged forwardly of said apertured member, a portion of said male member being adapted to pass through said. aperture into engagement with said female clasp element, with part of said apertured member held between said clasp elements.

11. In an adjustable cap, a foldable gusset interposed in the bottom edge of said cap, a lining, a rearwardly extending stiffening member, seams joining said lining to said bottom edge and to the front portion of said member, terminating at said gusset and forming a pocket open at said gusset in which said member is slidably maintained, and means for drawing said member, the unseamed part of said lining and part of said gusset into said pocket for decreasing the head size of said cap.

12. In an adjustable cap, a body portion, a pocket forming lining, means for adjusting said cap, means in said cap foldable on the adjustment of saidcap, and a stiffening member seamed to said cap at the front part thereof between said lining and said body portion, projecting into and movable in said. pocket.

13. In an adjustable cap, a front section, a rear section, gussets joining the lower parts of said sections, a lining forming pockets in said rear section stitched to said sections, a stiffening member passing completely around said front section and into said pockets, straps secured to said rear section for relatively adjusting said sections, and means for locking said straps in adjusted position.

ISIDOR KAPLAN, 

